Whether you currently live in a condo or are thinking about buying one, you’ve probably wondered whether the HOA assessments are reasonable. First off, what are assessments? If you live in a building or community with shared amenities—such as a condo, co-op, or townhouse—you are responsible for covering your portion of those costs.

Timing matters when buying a new home. First time buyers might be working around the timetable of their lease so they can avoid paying both rent and a mortgage for months on end. Current homeowners may be trying to juggle a home sale with a purchase so that they have the funds for the new downpayment. So how long does the home buying process take and when should buyers start seriously looking at properties?